If you volunteer and you like it, tell me about it

[Anonymous]

I absolutely love being a Girl scout leader. Both the kids and the other adults bring me such job.

I also really enjoy working at a food pantry with my church. It's just a few times a year, but I always have fun and feel so appreciative of the chance to help in an actual meaningful way for those who really need it.

[Anonymous]

I previously volunteered teaching children’s basic rifle shooting for the local 4-H. This was a great way to teach gun safety and a love of marksmanship to kids in our prior area.

[Anonymous]

A variety of occasional one-off things but one regular commitment is serving on the board of my church's foundation. We give grants and interest-free loans for education and I serve on the committee that evaluates grant applications. It's really rewarding to be able to help people towards their goals.

[Anonymous]

I've loved doing meal packaging for Rise Against Hunger and tutoring ESL adults. Both are so much fun! Would like to get back to ESL once my kids are a little older.

Have also tutored adult basic literacy, but didn't love that as much b/c my students often had learning disabilities and really needed professional help, not just a volunteer.

I've also done GS troop leader, class parent and team manager, but not my cup of tea, tbh. Just did them because they needed someone to step up....

[Anonymous]

In addition to the school stuff, we foster dogs and I volunteer for specific events like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Women's March, Capital Pride, etc.

I'll also volunteer when a friend is looking for assistance with their own group - like Race for the Cure, Mesothelioma 10K, Marine Corps Marathon, etc.

[Anonymous]

Of all the volunteer work I’ve done the most fulfilling has been working for an organization that collects gently used kids’/teen clothes from (generally wealthier parts of) the community and gives free wardrobes to low income kids via a cute little boutique type store. I especially like that it both provides a valuable service to families and reuses perfectly good, still fashionable clothes locally.

[Anonymous]

I mentor young professionals in my field of work, through the local chapter of a Prof Assoc. I learn so much from them, and I improve my mentoring/coaching skills each time. The young talent with goals - they are really inspiring for those of us who may be jaded after 25 years of work.

[Anonymous]

I’ve done lots of kid/school volunteering and loved being with the kids, didn’t love a lot of the other parents,

I enjoyed volunteering at my local hospital and grocery shopping for a domestic violence shelter.

I’m now dropping off meals for Meals on Wheels and it’s very satisfying.

[Anonymous]

Since having kids all of my volunteering has been with their activities: timing at swim meets, being on the board of the swim team, soccer parent (sending emails, etc), managing concessions at theater productions, room parent, PTA board (and random activities at the school.) Outside of their activities we randomly purchase items for the local food bank and drop off.

Prior to kids, I worked at a crisis hotline 4 hrs/week which I really enjoyed, was a volunteer one week/year for a camp for kids with diabetes, and was a buddy for Best Buddies.

My kids graduate from HS in a couple of years...I need to figure out volunteer opportunities once that happens.

[Anonymous]

Delivering groceries for Brite Paths

[Anonymous]

As someone who has coordinated volunteers before my advice is to find something you care about or enjoy doing and apply that to helping others.

If you find something you like to do you, that will bring you joy then you will want to do it more and inspire others. An unhappy / grumpy volunteer is no help to any organization.

Are you an introvert - don't choose something where you have to talk or interact with people.

Do you like to sort things and put them in order? Do you like to cook? Do you like to drive? Is there an upcoming event or festival that you are interested in? Volunteer for it. Start small and build from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Church changed the name of “Sunday school teacher” to “faith formation mentor.”

Teaching is really fun and satisfying, especially when the kids come back to you years later and tell you how much they learned or how much they like the class.

LOL

You mean indoctrination specialist.

[Anonymous]

Court Watch Montgomery

Domestic Violence watchdog.

[Anonymous]

I'm an officer for the election on election days. Not really a volunteer position per se because we get paid a small stipend, but I like it very much. I like serving with my fellow election officers and really enjoy being able to uphold election integrity for my precinct and county.

[Anonymous]

I am on the Board of a nonprofit university. It is very rewarding to help guide an institution that improves the future for so many. It’s a lot of responsibility though, and I take it very seriously.